Puddymod Diff vs 8.8
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 4,805
Likes: 15
From: St.Petersburg/Tampa, FL
Originally Posted by wadzii' timestamp='1392746798' post='23021555
the puddy diff is great for 90% of people
I like the 8.8 because the parts for it are realllllly cheap. Need a different gear ratio.. $200 for whatever you want from ford racing, want a more agressive LSD, repack the trac-lok for like $50. There are tons of shops that can get a ford 8.8 together with out it making noise etc.
Hell if you break it and need parts in a pinch you can get them from your local parts store.
IMHO if you get to where you need upgraded hubs and all I'd jump to the 8.8. The biggest advantage to a puddy diff is stock axles/driveshaft work. Go with 5.9 axles and bigger hubs, you threw that advantage out the door.
I like the 8.8 because the parts for it are realllllly cheap. Need a different gear ratio.. $200 for whatever you want from ford racing, want a more agressive LSD, repack the trac-lok for like $50. There are tons of shops that can get a ford 8.8 together with out it making noise etc.
Hell if you break it and need parts in a pinch you can get them from your local parts store.
IMHO if you get to where you need upgraded hubs and all I'd jump to the 8.8. The biggest advantage to a puddy diff is stock axles/driveshaft work. Go with 5.9 axles and bigger hubs, you threw that advantage out the door.
Also let’s keep in mind what anyone’s car for that matter will be intended for. I know after I choose an option I plan to take mine to the track periodically. I guess if you just do pulls here in there around town then an puddymod diff is great.
Really the only drawback to the 8.8 is the initial cost where as puddymods route is cheaper. On the other side if things keep breaking then I would assume it would surpass the cost of a 8.8 setup.
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,016
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From: Norway
Well, for me the case is the other way around. I live in Norway, and a 8.8 for replacement or even parts for an 8.8 will be hard to find, expensive and/or take long time to get. IF something breaks it will definately be easier to get parts for the stock/Puddymod diff. Even when comparing to the R200 which is even more rare over here.
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Joined: Dec 2012
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Honestly you can build your own puddy mod style diff. Have the stuff cryo treated yourself, and then weir performance sells the solid pinion sleeve. Maybe choose an aftermarket ring and pinion for a miata. Just an idea. I've been tossing around doing this also as I have a spare diff. I also plan on having my own caps made.
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Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 823
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From: Texas
I've heard that with the 8.8 diff you have to modify the S2000 gas tank. Is this true? I only seem to have seen it mentioned once.
I do hope to eventually boost my S2000, but it's probably still a long way away. When I do finally scrape together the money, I still won't have enough to upgrade my diff. I'll just run stock and roll into any pulls that I do lol. A decent turbo kit, AEM EMS, Clutch, and fuel system is still going to run me like $7K without even factoring in the diff or any extra engine work.
S2000's are expensive :s
I do hope to eventually boost my S2000, but it's probably still a long way away. When I do finally scrape together the money, I still won't have enough to upgrade my diff. I'll just run stock and roll into any pulls that I do lol. A decent turbo kit, AEM EMS, Clutch, and fuel system is still going to run me like $7K without even factoring in the diff or any extra engine work.
S2000's are expensive :s
Banned
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 3,624
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From: Raleigh, NC
I pushed a small dent in my tank because I mounted the diff a little different than the full blown kit and i wanted a little more ground clearance. In hind sight I could have done it with out doing that. I built my mounts with the car on jackstands in the yard, it looked like it was going to end up way lower than it really did.
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Joined: Oct 2009
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I flew my Cessna over to Tampa, Florida to meet Ben this past weekend. He is extremely knowledgeable on the S2000 differential and it's issues. He was kind enough to pick me up at the airport, sit me down and spend a couple of hours talking shop. Super nice guy too. As many here know, there are issues with the stock differential. What many people don't know is just how many issues there are. For example, what gearsets are best, and why. And, of course, the various modes of failure of these stock units.
There really is a lot to this situation, and Ben knows how to deal with each and every issue.
My car is a 400HP turbo with the stock diff. I don't drag race it, and I'm careful in the lower gears. Still, I'm at risk of failure. I'd much rather improve the OEM differential than perform a swap. Especially since a stock diff can be so significantly upgraded.
From what I can tell, Ben is the only guy doing a good job at this.
Of course, I'm not needing more HP either. 400HP is enough for a street S2000. Massive traction problems are the norm
There really is a lot to this situation, and Ben knows how to deal with each and every issue.
My car is a 400HP turbo with the stock diff. I don't drag race it, and I'm careful in the lower gears. Still, I'm at risk of failure. I'd much rather improve the OEM differential than perform a swap. Especially since a stock diff can be so significantly upgraded.
From what I can tell, Ben is the only guy doing a good job at this.
Of course, I'm not needing more HP either. 400HP is enough for a street S2000. Massive traction problems are the norm
Thread Starter
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Joined: Feb 2014
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Yea talked it over with a friend and seems like I'll be going with a puddymod diff. He waitnessed spectacle running at IFO (Import face off) and mentioned that he ran the car hard. After hearing that spectacle is running only a 1.5 I think a stage 4 will hold up fine.
